NATURALISTS CALENDAR, ETC. 623 
SHEFFIELD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
On Wednesday, May 30th, the second Exhibiticm for the present year, of this Society was 
held at the Music-Hail. Tulips formed the prominent feature of the Show, and there was cer- 
tainly one of the best selections ever witnessed in this town. Of Fruits and Vegetables the 
specimens exiiibited were tnily excellent; and many greenhouse and stove plants, from the 
conservatories of the neighbouring nobility and gentry, attracted marked attention. The visi- 
tors on the occasion were numerous, including nearly all the first families in the town and its 
vicinity. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND. 
The spring Exhibition was held in the Rotunda on Tuesday, April 24th, when the specimens 
were generally well gi'own, rare and beautiful — the Auriculas and Hyacinths were remarkably 
fine; and the whole seemed to indicate a rapid improvement in the horticulture of the neigh, 
bourhood of Dublin. 
IV.— NATURALIST'S CALENDAR FOR JULY. 
BOTANY. 
In general this is the hottest month in the year, it was called by the Saxons haymonth ; williin 
the last fourteen years the thermometer, in three or four instances, has ranged as high as 
85 and 87 degrees, and once even to 89 degiees; it is often, however, very showery, and 
the rains towards the middle of the month, sometimes become of a periodical character ; the 
vegetable kingdom is now in its full glory, more plants are now in flower than in any other 
month, the Enchantei's Nightshade (Circsea lutetiana) may be found in damp shady situations; 
in marshes, rivulets, and stagnant pools, several species of Duck-weed, (Lemna ;) Club-rush, 
(Scirpus;) Pond-weed, (Potaraogeton;) Water Parsnep, (Siiini;) Rush, (Jiincus;) Water drop- 
woit, (Oindnthe;) Water Plantain, (Alisma;) Hooded Milfoil, or Bladder-wort, (Utricularia ;) 
Common Reed, (Phragmites, commCinis ;) Brook-weed, (SamcMus valerandi ;) Water Star-wort, 
(Callitriche autumnalis;) Chara, (Chara vulgaris;) this too is an important month for collecting 
the different grasses in flower, as the Canaiy Grass, (Phalaris canariensis ;) which with many 
other sorts may be found in uncultivated places — in meadows or pasture fields ; the Cats-tail 
grass, ('Phleilm pratensis;^ Fox-tail grass, (Alopecilrus ;) Bent-grass, (Agi'ostis;) Meadow- 
grass, (Ptia;) Quaking-grass, (Briza;) Fescue-grass, (FestCica;) Clove-pink-leaved Hair-grass, 
(Aira can-yophy'llea;) Cocks-foot Prickling-gi-ass, (Echinuchloa crus-galli;) &c. On sandy 
banks, several species of Speedwell, (Veronica;) and Bell-flowers, (Campanula;) &c. And 
on road-sides, Yarrow, (Achillea;) &c. &c. the hedges abound with Goose-grass or Cleavers, 
(Galium Aparine ;) aud in the Corn-fields, Blue-bottle, (Centaurea;) Camomile, (Anthemis ;) 
Bind-weed, (Convolvulus ;) &c. the Puff-ball, f'Lycoperdon bovista;^ and common Mushroom, 
(Agaricus campestris,) now appear, and towards the end, Truffles, (Tilher cibarium,) are 
hunted and dug up in commons and forests. 
ZOOLOGY. 
Birds.— The Cuckoo, (Cuculus cancirus,) is seldom heard later than the first week; the 
Nightingale, (S/lvia Luscinia, Latlian; Philomella Luscinia, Rennie,) now seldom uttei's any 
other noise than croacking ; the Skylark, (Alanda arvensis,) the Woodlark, (A. arborea,) and 
the Thrush, (Turdus mCisicus, Lin.) still continue their song; as does also the Black-cap, 
(Sylvia atracapilla ;) annd the Reed, and Sedge Warblers, (Curriica arundinacea, and Sali- 
caria;) the Stone Curlew, (Cliaradrius aedicnemus,) whistles occasionally very late at night; 
the Quail, (CotCirnix major, _Bnsvon,) utters its two or three singular notes during the day, and 
through a greater part of the night; young Bulfinches, (PyiThCila vulgaris.) fly; the Gold- 
crested Wren, (Regulus cristatus,) may occasionally be heard chirping ; and young Partridges, 
(Perdix cinerea,) run. 
Insects are seen sporting on every hand in myriads, the Lepidopterous families are now 
peculiarly interesting, the gardens and fields swarm with butterflies during the day, and in the 
evenings numbers of moths may be found in eveiy direction; the beautiful Tiger Moth, 
(A'rctia Ciga,) now makes its appearance, the larva; of which feed on the strawberiy and 
lettuce ; the Humming-bird Hawk-moth, (Macroglossa Stellarum,) may be seen, mornings and 
evenings, darting from flower to flower, with something of the swiftness of its feathered 
